Of The Full Moon Ritual

The old teachings tell us that the light of the full moon carries an astral substance, which effects our Inner Being (including emotions, rhythms, and subconscious activity). The Full Moon represents the presence of The Goddess, and in ancient times was considered the Goddess Herself. The Holy Strega taught (during the 14th Century) that participation in the Full Moon ritual, brought the people into a concentrated flow of this energy. This saturation of Lunar Emanation could then be directed, allowing it to provide raw energy for magical purposes, along with a personal empowerment which could increase physic (and magical) abilities.

In the Aridian Tradition, our ritual is designed to collect and concentrate these energies, in the ways which The Holy Strega taught. It is also a time for the worship of Deity. This is usually a combination of chants, songs, and offerings. The ritual also includes a time in which the initiates are directed on an astral journey, through which the old teachings are experienced. Up to 3 works of magic can be performed during the rite, and this can be for the Community at large, or simply for individuals. The ritual concludes with a remembrance of Aradia (a "toast" in her honor) and the celebration of "cakes and wine".

Much of the old ways of our Tradition have been handed down from the time of The Holy Strega. She left a teaching which came to be called "The Charge". Even in the Public Domain, such writers as Charles Leland (1890's) and Doreen Valiente (1950's & 60's) recorded elements of this very old teaching.

The Charge

"Whenever you have need of anything, once in the month, when the moon is full, gather then in secret and give worship to She who is the Queen of all witches. Gather into the sacred circle, and secrets that are as yet unknown shall be revealed to you. And you shall be free in mind, body, and spirit. And as a sign that you are truly free, you shall be naked in your rites. Then shall you sing, dance, feast, and make music and love. For such pleasures are the rituals of the Goddess. Be true to your beliefs, and keep to the Old Ways beyond all obstacles. For our Ways are the keys to the Mysteries, and the Essence of the Cycles of Return. In life does the Queen of all witches reveal the knowledge of the Spirit. And from Death does She deliver you unto Peace, and renew you once again. In memory of me, shall you eat cakes of grain, wine, salt, and honey. These shall you shape like the Moon. Then shall you bless them in my name, and partake of them within your sacred gatherings. For I am the Spirit of all Witches. Unto all who observe the appointed times, will the Queen of Heaven give power. And you shall know success in love, and have power to bless and to consecrate. And you shall know the tongue of the spirits, obtain knowledge of things which are hidden, and call forth spirits from the Mist. You shall know the Voice of the Wind, and the knowledge of changing forms. To you shall secret signs be revealed, and you shall possess power to heal. Wild beasts shall know you, and cause you no harm. As it was in the Time of our beginning, so is it now, so shall it be".

This is taken from the Book of the Holy Strega. Portions of it were written into Charles Leland's works (1894) and a version of it was written by Doreen Valiente (1950's-60's), based on the works of Leland's study of Italian Witchcraft.

Aradia (not to be confused with Charles Leland's distorted version) was born in Italy during the 14th Century and came to be a great Teacher (of The Old Religion). She was responsible for the 14th Century "revival" of Witchcraft, as noted by the Italian Inquisitor Bernardo Rategno in his text TRACTATUS DE STRIGIBUS (written in 1508 AD). Here he records that the "witches sect" had begun to expand rapidly, some 150 years prior. Research material published in 1887 records an interesting Legend, which we believe has preserved the story of Aradia :

There was once a young woman from the town of Volterrra who "traveled far and wide, teaching and preaching the religion of old times, the religion of Diana, the Queen of the Fairies and of the Moon, the Goddess of the poor and the oppressed...and the fame of her wisdom and beauty went forth over all the land, and people worshipped her, calling her La Bella Pellegrina (the beautiful Pilgrim)".

Aradia taught the old pre-Christian Religion of Nature worship, and magic. But above all she taught a Spirituality. Beyond this, she gave hope to peasants whose lives were made miserable in service to the Wealthy. She taught them personal power, and personal value, in an Age when the Church taught them shame and sin, and servitude. Aradia returned their pagan heritage to them, a heritage preserved in secret by courageous Priests and Priestesses of The Old Religion.

Today, we call her The Holy Strega...

Concerning Nature
"Nature is the Great Teacher. In Her are all things revealed. Nature reflects the Higher Ways of Spirit. The Creators established the Laws of Nature so that through them we might come to know the Laws of the Great Ones. Therefore, observe the ways of Nature around you, both great and small. Everything has purpose and reason. Be not confused by its seeming cruelty, for there is a duality in all things.

Respect Nature in all ways. Take only that which you must, from her, and remember nothing may be taken except that something be given (in return). This is the Law for all Witches.

Know that the wind speaks of the knowledge of the Earth, and the spirit of the kindredness of all living things emanates from everywhere. Nature teaches all living things, all that must be known. She teaches birds to make their nests, and animals to hunt, and to survive. She teaches children to crawl, and to walk. She teaches Life.

Once She taught all people of Her ways, but they chose to go their own way. They chose to oppose Her, and to control Her. But for witches there can be no other way than Nature. A witch must live in Harmony with the Forces of Nature".

(reprinted from The Book of the Holy Strega)
Concerning The Goddess
The Goddess is the Life Force, in as much as She is the Fertility in all things. It is through Her activity that we are born, and that seeds push up through the earth, and grow into plants. She moves the God to create through His desire for Her. The Goddess is the Joy of Life, She is the passion to live. Compassion, love, gentleness, and kindness are the Essence of Her Spirit. All women carry the Goddess within, in various aspects and degrees.

Yet, there is a duality in all things, and the Goddess can manifest as sterility, vengeance, and destruction. She is the Soul of Nature.

The Goddess rules the Night, and the Moon is Her sacred symbol. All women are linked to Her through the Moon, which influences the flow of blood. The night is the essence of the mystery which all women possess. This is the elusive quality which all women bear, but can never be known, or touched upon. The desire of men for women, is the desire of God for Goddess. It is the attraction of the Life Force.

The Goddess is known as the Queen of Heaven. She is clothed in the stars, and wears the Moon as a Crown. She is the Earth Mother, clothed in green, and endowed with large breasts which rise as rounded hills rise, beyond the lush green meadows. She is pregnant with the Child of Life, which She bears each year. She is the Virgin Maiden, naked and beautiful. She is youth and the lust for life. She is the Enchantress, and Temptress. She is all women. The Goddess does not accept live sacrifice, as was known in ancient times. She is the Goddess of Life, and all living things. She demands respect for Life. If you give offerings in Her honor, then better it be of fruits or grains, or things of beauty (for these things pass life on).

The Goddess is the Queen of all witches, who She calls Her Hidden Children. We are Her servants, She is not ours. She gives us Life and receives us in the Afterworld. She teaches us the ways of Nature, and Spirit. She gives us power and magic. She reveals all mysteries, and gives light to the darkness. And to the Wise, She imparts Her sacred name.

Concerning The God
The God is known as the stern and demanding aspect of Divinity. Yet this is only an aspect of His Nature. He is perceived as the Death Force, which Transforms. He is Lord of the Afterworld, who restores and renews the soul, which is prepared for a new life. This is performed through the union of the God and Goddess.

Yet, there is a duality in all things, and the God is also Vitality and Strength. He is the Sun, the Lord of Light. He can give Life or Death, through His activity. The God is the desire to create, dwelling in that state prior to creation. Through the attraction of the Goddess, He is moved to create.

He is Lord of the Heavens, clothed in the Sun, and bearing a golden rod. He is Lord of the earth, horned like a stag, and powerful. He is the Lord of the Afterworld, dark and lonely, stern, and Just. For His are the two faces of Janus. Through Him is order established and discipline mastered. He is the inner strength of the individual. He is the essence of strength and defense.

Yet, He is also the warrior, and the destroyer. He is Power and Will. All men bear His essence, in various aspects and degrees. He is all men.

There is a side of the God, which can be seen by those who desire to love Him. It is a gentleness, a compassion, and an understanding. This comes from His awareness of His Strength and Power. His compassion is born of His understanding of Justice. His nobility can be seen in the soaring of a hawk, or in the beauty of a great Stag keeping watch over his herd.

The God is sexual desire and virility within the male. He is attraction, sensuality, and sexuality. He is physical nature, just as the Goddess is spiritual nature.

In death, He is the comforter, and the renewer. He is the Great Initiator, and Teacher. He rules the Afterworld, and dispels the darkness with His presence. He is the illuminator, and reveals all that is hidden. He scatters all falsehoods, and establishes Truth.